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DAM-L LS: 'Call for Justice' - Long March to Delhi (fwd)
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subject: LS: 'Call for Justice' - Long March to Delhi
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NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda, Gujarat. Telefax: 0265-382232
58, M.G.Road, Badwani, M.P. Tel: 07290-22464
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'Call for Justice' - Long March to Delhi
(Nyay ki Pukar)
Dear all,
To all those who have been following the struggle in the Narmada Valley
over last 15 years, the recent judgment pronounced by the Supreme
Court written by Jst.Kirpal and signed by Chief Justice Jst.Anand came as
a great shock. Shock, not just because it allowed the dam construction to
go ahead by 2 mts. immediately overlooking clear evidence submitted to the
Court by Narmada Bachao Andolan and the Government of Madhya Pradesh which
shows that the rehabilitation of people affected at the present height is
far from complete. Nor because the verdict is a pile of contradictions.
But, apart from ignoring most issues raised by NBA, verdict from the
highest court has sanctioned violation of the Tribunal Award and the right
to life, guaranteed by the Constitution. The judgement expressed full
confidence in the existing system and mechanisms in overseeing the
rehabilitation, whose callousness and complete failure had forced us to
approach the Court in the first place.
The ramifications of this judgment will go well beyond the Valley of
Narmada. The judgement has overtly given a go ahead to the development
policies followed during the last 53 years, where the people of the
country, have been exploited and displaced, marginalised and
destitutionalised. This has happened, especially to the lower sections of
the population - adivasis, dalits, minorities, the harnessers and
protectors of natural resources farmers and fisher folk, small artisans
and self employed like hawkers Their plight is worsened with the advent of
liberalisation policies. While the governance has gone from bad to worse,
democratic institutions have become defunct. The system, therefore, needs a
jolt and the giant forces need to be challenged with the strength of
people’s power. Narmada is the struggle. With its supporters all over, we
appeal to all of you, people’s organisations and sensitive citizens to join
hands, highlight other issues, and link those to the Narmada. This is the
time to act.
This verdict, as pointed out by many, will go down in history, as one of
the worst judgements, ever.
Many of you have reacted in your own way, (through spontaneous reactions to
this verdict, including mass actions). Some have demonstrated in front of
the High Court or lower courts in your own place; some observed fast, wrote
articles, letters to different authorities and above all, have reiterated
your solidarity and confidence in the struggle of the people. Beginning
with a mass protest rally at Badwani on the 23rd October, people in the
valley expressed their astonishment, anger and sense of betrayal in
numerous ways. They buried the judgment of Jst.Kirpal in front of the
Sessions Court in Badwani, indicating their rejection of the same; observed
Diwali - the festival of lights, as day of darkness, which is being filled
into their lives and instead of the ceremonial coloring of horns of cattle,
they blackened those. Eight representatives of the Narmada Valley and
supporters observed a symbolic fast in Bhopal through the five days of
Diwali, protesting against the judgment and appealing to the civil society
to stand by justice. On the eve of commencement of resumption of work on
dam, we will hold ‘torch of vigil’ (on 30th night), along with others all
over, as a token of our resolve to protect the ‘flame of life’ in the
Valley. People are getting ready for intensifying the struggle in the
coming days.
Out of the programs that are being planned, one of the important one is “A
Call for Justice” - Long March to Delhi to expose the judgement and aiming
at transforming judiciary to be more truthful and accountable. There will
also be a public hearing on the Narmada in Delhi. The Long March will also
appeal to the President to use his powers to stop further devastation of
the Valley and destitution of the people.
The Long March - a plan:
The Long March will start from the valley with thousands of people from
both tribal area and the plains of Nimad, through different routes, will
join together in Delhi on 11th November 2000. Regional rallies from Kerala,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Rajasthan and Bengal will join the Long
March at different points.
Details:
Route I
7th November Long March from the tribal hamlets of Maharashtra will hold a
rally at Tahsil headquarters- Dhadgaon.
8th November Rally at District headquarters at Nandurbar.
(Dhadgaon Nandurbar by road)
9th November Public program at Bombay. (Nandurbar Bombay by train)
Route II
10th November The Long March from Nimad (plains) and tribal area of Madhya
Pradesh will hold demonstration at the Narmada Control Authority (NCA),
Indore asking them for the rehabilitation Master Plan, that the Supreme
Court has asked them to prepare in 4 weeks. (Long March to proceed towards
Delhi by train).
11th November Both the groups reach Delhi. A March and dharna in Delhi
(Bombay / Indore Delhi by train)
12th November Jan Sunvai (Public Hearing) on Narmada its social,
environmental and economic impacts. People from the valley will present
their case before a group of eminent persons from different walks of life.
Government bodies will also be invited to present their case in the Public
Hearing, organised by the Indian People’s Tribunal, Bombay.
14th November Announcement of the findings by the Jury.
Dharna will continue till people are given a chance to be heard by the
President. The Long March will try to spread the message by holding
rallies, public meetings, exhibitions, distribution of leaflets, holding
press conferences etc. at different places, bringing out the ground reality
regarding complete failure and impossibility of just rehabilitation of all
the affected people.
Regional Yatras:
Regional yatras from South can join the Long March at Mumbai on the 9th
early morning, while others can join us at Delhi on the 11th of November.
We appeal to you to mobilise people in your respective states, raising the
issue in different cities and asking organisations, movements and
individuals to join the Long March. When the regional yatra passes through
the state, you can distribute pamphlets, hold meetings, carry out campaign
in trains / buses including letter campaign (asking the President, to not
be a meek witness to this injustice, but should ‘act’ in interest of the
people and to the Chief Justice, to review their judgment suo motto) and
other innovative actions.
We earnestly appeal to all of you to:
· Despite this very short notice, spread the message of the Long
March in your area.
· Join the Long March wherever possible.
· Involve the supporters and eminent persons of your state in the
campaign.
· Collect funds and help the movement.
We are awaiting your confirmation about participation in the Long March,
and more importantly, your continued support, in this most challenging
phase for the Andolan.
In solidarity,
Alok Agrawal Dedali
bai Noorjibhai Luhariya
Devram bhai Bali ben Nandini
Oza Medha Patkar
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>>>>> CAPITAL PUNISHMENT for Narmada Valley <<<<<
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